What is the "church of Oprah"? Is Eckhart Tolle's "New Earth" compatible with Ch
What is the "church of Oprah"? Is Eckhart Tolle's "New Earth" compatible with Christianity?
My guess is that the phrase "church of Oprah" is synonymous with the "cult of Oprah" - the personality cult that surrounds this truly extraordinary woman.
Now, I am sure some will find cause for criticism in the level of devotion Oprah's fans show her: the "fanatacism" of some of her admirers may seem a just cause of concern. However I cannot say I find it particularly alarming. I think that for the most part the praises showered on Oprah are well deserved.
I think she is a remarkable exemplar of empathy, and a fundamentally principled and humane person.
She's not perfect: her feminist instincts are suspect. And she once made some stereo-typical comment about the Caribbean, projecting it as a dumping ground for second-hand clothes, inferior fashion or some such thing (I'm from Barbados).
However, I think that if persons seeking a model of spirituality are adopting Oprah that is no cause for alarm. Frankly, they could do a lot worst.
As for the Eckhart Tolle "New Earth" question: I don'trecall hearing of him or his book before today, so I feel hardly qualified to offer a well informed opinion.
I can only say that based on what I have read on wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eckhart_Tolle#Teachings), he seems to be both praised and censured by christians. I'm afraid this is not very helpful, but I would want to read "New Earth" myself before I say any more.
